For most people, a housewarming gift costs between $25 and $75, and around $40 is common. Where you land in that range depends on how close you are to the host. A small, thoughtful gift is fine. You don't need to spend a lot to show you care.
Here's how to choose an amount that fits your relationship and your budget, so you can enjoy the party without second-guessing what you brought.
What do people actually spend?
Ally, a US bank, asked 1,000 people about their gifting habits in 2023. For housewarmings, the typical (median) spend was $40. People who spent more than most gave about $75.
Spending also changed with the relationship:
| Relationship to host | Typical housewarming spend (Ally survey, USD) |
|---|---|
| Acquaintance, coworker or neighbor | $25 |
| Close friend | $50 |
| Family member | $75 |
The survey figures are medians rounded up to the nearest $5, and the article doesn't say much about how the survey was run. Treat them as a reasonable reference point, not a rule. If you live outside the US, scale the idea to local prices. A modest, practical gift is the norm almost everywhere.
Etiquette: is a gift even required?
Not strictly. The Emily Post Institute says the point of a housewarming is to warm the home with the presence of friends and neighbors. Gifts are lovely but not required, and hosts shouldn't set up a registry.
In practice, many guests still like to bring something small. If money is tight, a modest gift, or even some homemade food, is perfectly polite. If the invitation says "no gifts," the safest choice is to believe the host and leave it at that.
A simple way to pick your number
If you're not sure, try this three-step check:
- Start with the relationship. Use the table above as a starting point: about $25 for a neighbor or coworker, about $50 for a close friend and about $75 for family.
- Check your budget. If that amount would squeeze your groceries or bills, go lower. No good host wants a guest to overspend.
- Think about the season. If you also have weddings, birthdays or holidays coming up, spread your money across all of them. A yearly gift fund that covers birthdays and other occasions helps a housewarming feel like a planned expense instead of a surprise.
Ideas at every price point
The Emily Post Institute suggests practical, home-friendly gifts such as guest towels, houseplants, glasses, dish towels, picture frames, specialty foods like good olive oil or preserves, and cheeseboards or cheese knives. Here's how those ideas and a few others fit different budgets. The price ranges are rough estimates and will vary by store and country.
Under $25
- A potted herb or small houseplant
- Nice dish towels or hand soap
- Homemade baked goods or jam
- A local coffee or tea sampler
$25 to $50
- A good bottle of olive oil with specialty salt
- A picture frame with a photo of the new place or of you and the host
- A sturdy cutting board
- A set of glasses
$50 to $75 and up
- A cheeseboard with cheese knives
- Quality guest towels
- A larger plant or a nice planter
- A gift card to a home-improvement or furniture store
According to the same Ally survey, 51% of respondents said they'd rather get an actual item for a housewarming, 33% preferred a gift card and 16% preferred cash. A physical gift is a safe default. A gift card works well too, especially for someone who is still furnishing. If you get gift cards yourself, it helps to keep track of their balances so none go to waste.
Spend less without feeling cheap
- Make it personal. A handwritten note about the new chapter often means more than the price tag.
- Pool your money. Going in with friends lets everyone give something bigger while each person pays less. A simple split rule for group gifts keeps it fair and avoids awkward conversations.
- Offer your time. Help with unpacking, hanging shelves or painting a room is very useful to someone who just moved in.
- Buy ahead. If you see a nice serving bowl or planter on sale, buy it and keep it for the next housewarming invitation.
Bottom line
For most housewarmings, about $25 to $50 is plenty, and $75 is generous for family or a very close friend. Gifts are optional, so let your relationship and your budget set the amount. Peer pressure shouldn't. A small, thoughtful gift and showing up to celebrate are more than enough.
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